The original source: https://www.vietnamplus.vn/khanh-hoa-nguoi-bien-rac-thai-nhua-thanh-ghe-da-gach-lat-duong-post867898.vnp#google_vignette
The stone seats and road pavement made from plastic waste by Mr. Xuân are well-shaped, durable, environmentally friendly, and more cost-effective than concrete products by 20-30%.
Plastic waste is a widespread issue for humanity, especially in Khánh Hòa province. It seriously affects the living environment of humans and animals.
As a result, many scientific and technological projects related to environmental protection have emerged.
Mr. Nguyễn Văn Xuân, CEO of Resa Energy Corporation (born in 1960, residing in Phước Hòa ward, Nha Trang city), recently introduced stone seats and road pavement made from recycled plastic waste and nylon.
The plastic stone seats were researched and manufactured by Mr. Xuân based on a formula of plastic shreds, nylon combined with cement, and additives.
Each stone seat can withstand approximately 300 kg of weight, is environmentally friendly, with an estimated lifespan of over 50 years. They are currently being installed in Nha Trang Beach Park as a way to promote environmental protection to residents and tourists.
Speaking of the idea of recycling plastic waste into construction materials, Mr. Xuân believes that concrete is a widely used product worldwide, while plastic waste is omnipresent. Therefore, solving the issue of concrete alongside plastic waste will effectively protect the environment.
Upon getting the idea, Mr. Nguyễn Văn Xuân started researching using various methods. Initially, he used thermal methods and plastic melting processes before finally adopting the plastic waste concrete method.
Specifically, the plastic waste concrete method, also known as „encasing plastic in concrete,“ helped Mr. Xuân succeed due to its reasonable input-output cost calculation and profitability.
The greatest advantage of this method is that making concrete from plastic waste does not cause environmental pollution since the plastic waste is cold-treated (plastic is crushed).
Additionally, the plastic waste grinder can process all types of waste without sorting, unlike other hot recycling methods. With low investment costs, the produced products can fully compete with traditional products of the same type.
Depending on the use function, recycled plastic concrete products can meet the societal development needs. Plastic waste concrete can be used for both indoor and outdoor furniture, construction materials, low-load-bearing roads, internal drainage channels, etc.
Mr. Xuân explains the recycling formula for plastic waste into construction materials is simple, by combining plastic granules with concrete made from cement, sand, gravel, aggregate, water…
However, plastic with its smooth property is challenging to bond firmly with cement, so concrete with plastic does not achieve the required compressive strength. Therefore, Mr. Xuân found a solution by adding suitable additives to connect the materials together.
„The additives were researched, formulated, and these additives create a bond between concrete and plastic,“ Mr. Xuân said about the secret.
To obtain a source of recycled plastic, Mr. Xuân purchases plastic waste not only from households and neighbors but also from scrap yards. The price per kilogram of purchased plastic is low.
According to Mr. Xuân’s calculations, to create a stone seat weighing 150 kg, about 50 kg of plastic is needed, with a selling price of about 1.5 million Dong per piece. This price is 20-30% lower compared to stone seats made of pure concrete.
Although the effectiveness is there, few companies are enthusiastic, mainly because the input plastic waste is not cleanly sorted, and plastic waste is mixed with organic waste, leading to inefficient grinding and mixing processes, resulting in higher costs.
Furthermore, there are no concrete incentives for using recycled products yet, while consumers still have concerns about using waste products, and it is difficult to compete in price with traditional products of the same type…
The difficulties are there, but Mr. Xuân and his colleagues have managed to provide sample products and products for practical applications.
Mr. Xuân emphasizes that transitioning from an electrician to initiatives and inventions in environmental science and technology is a great personal effort and a struggle against environmental pollution and its impact on loved ones.
Mr. Xuân’s greatest wish now is to have more units and individuals join in recycling plastic waste. Mr. Xuân and his colleagues are ready to share technologies for free or to invest in partnerships and market products once the solution is successful.
„Despite many obstacles, we are determined to move forward on the path we have chosen. We want to go far with the effort to clean the environment. Therefore, we need the support of all citizens in separating plastic waste,“ Mr. Xuân passionately said.
In a conversation with members of the Nha Trang city youth organization about plastic waste recycling in early June, Mr. Xuân brought his entire machinery so that young people could observe the entire process of „transforming“ plastic waste into construction materials.
Nguyễn Trần Minh Tâm, a student at Phạm Văn Đồng Secondary School in Nha Trang, found it incredible and amazing that magical bricks were made from plastic bottles and nylon packaging.
Therefore, she will advise everyone in her family to separate waste before disposing of it, so that recyclable plastic waste becomes useful items for society and reduces costs for environmental protection.
The experience with recycled stone seats at Tran Phu Beach Park near the 2/4 Square surprised Ms. Nguyễn Thị Hải (45 years old, a tourist from Hanoi) when she learned that the origin of the stone seats was from plastic waste. She believes that such products will contribute significantly to raising awareness of environmental protection among the public and tourists.
„Sitting on this stone, many people feel no different than on a concrete stone. It’s very solid and safe,“ Ms. Hải said.
Trần Anh Tuấn, Secretary of the Khanh Hoa Provincial Youth Union, said that in the future, the unit will continue to cooperate with Mr. Nguyễn Văn Xuân – who recycles plastic waste into construction materials to implement many meaningful projects related to environmental protection and reducing plastic waste, such as building plastic waste concrete roads, models, and souvenirs from plastic waste concrete….
In particular, the Khanh Hoa Provincial Youth Union will promote the movement against plastic waste and environmental protection among youth union members throughout the province.